Numbers 33

Trust In Me 

Here in Numbers 33 our Lord is saying to His people; this is where you have been, here is where I am taking you, this is what I want you to do.

This not only applies to the children of Israel but to us as well. Each one of us has his own past, present and future. We must not be crippled by our past and the lost opportunities but focus on seeking God's will for our lives each and every day. This will help us recognize His divine appointments when they come our way and allow us seize new opportunities for Him. 

God’s will for our lives can only be accomplished by trusting in Him, seeking His direction and stepping out in faith.

The Truth

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Numbers 32

Stopping Short

They said (the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad), “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession; do not take us across the Jordan (river).” (v.5)

How often do WE stop short of God's revealed will for our lives? Stopping on our journey of faith, substituting programs or in this case negotiating a deal, instead of having simple, saving faith in our Lord and trusting in the intentions of our God. We, like the sons of Ruben and the sons of Gad, stop short of crossing the river.

So, what happened to Gad and Reuben for going their own way? Gad was later taken captive by Assyria and the Ammonites seized their lands and territories. A similar fate awaited the Reubenites. The half-tribe of Manasseh settled near them but more to the north, and they, too, were ultimately lost to captivity in Assyria. They got what they wanted and then lost—everything.

What looks good to us, what is attractive, what we can work out in some kind of negotiation, is not necessarily what we need. What is in front of us may seem desirable, but we cannot see the future. Only God can, because He is already there.

The Truth

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)

Numbers 31

Give Thanks 

"Then the officers who were over the thousands of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, approached Moses, and they said to Moses, 'Your servants have taken a census of men of war who are in our charge, and no man of us is missing.” (v. 48-49)

Can you imagine the feelings of the soldiers who returned alive after battling the well-armed Midianite army? Thousands of the enemy died and not one Israelite was killed in the fighting – sound familiar?

The nation was once again faced with undeniable evidence that God is real and that He loves His people. And so they gave back to the Lord some of what He had won for them in battle. (v.50-52)

Thus the Israelite army was grateful for the Lord’s hand of protection and preservation during their battle—as we also should be in our daily struggles against principalities and powers.

The Truth

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 106:1)

Numbers 30

Vows

“If a man vow a vow to the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” (v.2)

Simply put, in the Lord we are to become what we were really meant to be, honest, without pretense of any kind. Our actions should be true and our words also - not making promises we do not intend to keep.

As we grow in Christ, we become something better, something more. Our vows become more heart felt, truth becomes our watchword, and love the foundation of our intentions, not some unintentional outburst. As such, our word becomes our bond and we do not break it.

The Truth
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ (Matthew 5:33)

“But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.” (James 5:12)

Numbers 29

Sacrifie and Rest 

This chapter is a continuation of Numbers 28. Moses was soon to leave the scene and these verses would remind his successors that the religious laws applied to Israel were to continue after he was gone.

This section of Scripture is also the continuation of a revelation, a parable showing what we all need: Forgiveness, God's rest, a celebration of the Lord, a Sacrifice acceptable to Him, and His Holy Spirit.

In short, this passage of scripture is about the simple act of expressing "YES" to the Lord, abandoning self-trust and instead, trusting in Him. Do you trust Him?

The Truth

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)